Biodiversity Basics
“The diversity of life forms, so numerous that we have yet to identify most of them, is the greatest wonder of this planet. The biosphere is an intricate tapestry of interwoven life forms. Even the seemingly desolate arctic tundra is sustained by a complex interaction of many species of plants and animals, including the rich arrays of symbiotic lichens.” – E.O. Wilson, renowned natural scientist
Biological diversity, or biodiversity, refers to the extraordinary variety of life on Earth—all of the different living things in a certain area. There are three key metrics for evaluating biodiversity:
Genetic diversity is the differences in genes between individuals within a given species. Diverse genetic traits help species cope with disease and environmental changes. More genetic resources help species survive difficult times. For species that are threatened or endangered, the reduction in available genes makes it difficult for the species to return to full health.
Species diversity is measured in both species richness (number of different species present) and relative abundance of the species present (how many individuals present for each species) in a particular area.
Ecosystem diversity is the variety of ecosystems found in a given region or area. For example, the state of Iowa includes forests with particular types of trees, rivers with sandbars, marshy wetlands, and tallgrass prairies. These communities together provide ecosystem diversity across the state.
Biodiversity—the variety of different living things—is critically important for providing stability, productivity, and resilience (the ability to bounce back from disturbance).
Video Resources
Additional Resources
What is Biodiversity? – UK Natural History Museum
Three Levels of Biodiversity – PBS | Kentucky's Natural Heritage: An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity